Monday, October 15, 2007

Bolts of Reality....

***Press Release***


Bolts of Reality
New Short Story Collection Explores Pitfalls of Relationships


FRANKLIN PARK, NJ – Cyd Webster inspires discussion and evaluation of
romantic relationships in a series of short “legacies of dysfunction”, Struck by
Lightning and Other Bolts of Reality (now available through AuthorHouse).
The characters in the stories illustrate the problems that can occur when
baggage from the past is drawn into current relationships. The various couples
appear normal on the outside, but are engulfed in trauma and turmoil behind
the closed doors of their homes. “The characters are narrowly wedged into
tunnel vision, where options and choices seem limited, and settling in their
circumstances becomes the only answer they can imagine,” says Webster.


Each story addresses different stages of romantic love, from single people
looking for companionship to couples involved in marriage, cohabitation or
infidelity. George and Sheila’s conflicting motives lead to maddening
misunderstandings for them both. Tonya, desperate to have a man, ignores
the fact that Lewis has psychotic tendencies. Marsha becomes a caretaker
and martyr as Craig’s dependent lifestyle threatens to destroy her. Charles
and Joan end up in a long-term relationship that is built on a lie but continues
in a manner of twisted convenience. Ronald and Tricia find themselves in a
rocky, violent relationship based on shallow ideals. Candy recklessly searches
for love, and Black and Shareef take the opportunity to satisfy their desires
at her expense. Pastor Jetson and Alison are torn by a happenstance meeting
and strong attraction.


Webster hopes to inspire dialogue in readers as they relate the characters’
exploits to their own lives. “These stories are based on experiences that
many people can identify with, although most people do not want to talk
about these kinds of issues,” she says. “These are stories about everyday
people who are working out scenarios in their lives with what they bring
to it and what is presented to them.”

Webster was born in East Orange, NJ, and lived in Orange, NJ most of her
life. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and attended
graduate school at Montclair State University. She has since worked in
the field of information systems technology. Writing has always been her
passion, and she has had several articles published in company newsletters.
Struck by Lightning and Other Bolts of Reality is her first book. More
information is available at Cyd's World.

Available at AuthorHouse – www.authorhouse.com.
This title can be ordered at bookstores or ordered at your preferred on-line retailer.






So far, I've received a lot of interesting feedback from people who have read my book. Many have told me that they can either identify with some of the stories or know people that some of the characters remind them of. Here are some comments I've received and I encourage anyone to share their comments here on my blog after reading Struck By Lightning and Other Bolts of Reality.

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Cyndie,
I read your book. Wow, it was captivating. It was also painful; but, it was all to real for too large a segment of our tortured society. And, if we don't fix the root causes of the dysfunction, it will destroy us all.The other side are the stories of families like yours. We need to write those stories also. And, if all else fails, myth gives us something to strive towards.


Take care,Bill
Virginia


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Hey Cyndie,
They were great. I was very impressed, with this being your first official publication and all. I hope that you could turn some of them into full novels. I've left the book with my Aunt as we read all the same things, so I can't quote titles. But, I would've loved to know the background on the crazy woman that sat around in the bar and met men. Also, more about the guy who became DL at his dealer's house.
Oh, and about the perverse boyfriend who was killed in the freak car accident. A few of them ended too quickly for me. But, I was hooked as I completed the book in about 10 hours over the span of 2 days.
Are some of these really true stories?


Luciana Hall



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Hi cyndie - I'm not sure if you check out your im (i sent this samemessage there) but this is T aka deanesdream. I wanted to let you know that I read your book over the weekend and it was a good read. very sad but all in all - it gave me a sense of hope not to sell myself short since I have a chance to decide that before i end up or come faceto face with any of those situations, ever again. thanks so much for a VERY real book.


"deanedream"


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I finished reading your book and must say that I am certainly impressed. Each chapter was better than the preceding one. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Where on earth did you dream up all the characters? Each one was "a piece of work in progress."The book held my attention and really flowed, making for easy reading. Thank you for a job well done. I regret that your Elaine and Leroy didn't live to see you were published. I can hear Elaine now cracking up over the stories that you wrote.

Joyce
East Orange, NJ

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I recently purchased your book Struck By Lightning and I found it to be very enticing, real, and directly on point. All of the stories are events that I could certainly relate to in some way or another. Whenever you come to Georgia, I definitely want to get an autograph because your work is great.

Spenecia
Atlanta, Ga

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